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Six challengers seek Hughson City Council seats in recall election
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At the end of the candidacy filing period on Thursday, six Hughson residents submitted their applications to fight for a seat on the City Council in the Aug. 24 recall election.

There will be two challengers for each of the three Hughson City Council seats on the recall election ballot.

The Citizens for Better City Government, a group of Hughson residents, spearheaded the recall election after three council members — Thom Crowder, Doug Humphreys and Ben Manley — were found in violation of the Brown Act, Fair Political Practices and Regulations and the Hughson Municipal Code in a December 2009 Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury finding.

Crowder, Humphreys and Manley will be on the ballot, along with the other six candidates. Voters will be able to choose to recall them or keep them in office. If recall is chosen, then voters will be able to select which of the challengers they wish to see replace each of the council members.

 

Candidates for the Aug. 24 Hughson City Council Recall Election

 

Thom Crowder, current city council member

Q: Why do you think you should keep your seat on the council?

A: “I haven’t done anything wrong. People tend to jump to judgment and some didn’t like my comments and I agree with them. They were vulgar comments but I don’t like being called a liar either. But I am here for the community of Hughson. I donate every check I get back to the city. I have been on the council for 14 years.”

 

Q: If not recalled, what changes do you plan to make for the betterment of the community of Hughson?

A: “I will have three months left on my term and I am not planning on running again. I will continue to look out for the best interest of the community and do the job they elected me to do.”

 

George Carr

Q: Why are you running for Hughson City Council in the recall election?

A: “I feel like it’s my natural transition from Parks and Recreation to learn more about the inter-workings of city government. I am looking for a new challenge.”

 

Q: What changes do you plan to make if you win?

A: “I want to get the city back into the process of doing normal city business. I want to get the city back on track.”

 

Q: Why did you choose to run for the specific seat of Crowder?

A: “It seemed like more of a challenge.”

 

Q: What experience can you bring to the council to better the City of Hughson?

A: “I have worked in Parks and Recreation for seven years now. I do volunteer work; I am business oriented with my 31 years of experience at AT&T, and I have my master’s degree in Human Resources.”

 

Q: Are you planning to run again in the November election?

A: “Yes, I plan to run again in the November election.”

 

Q: Anything else?

A: “I am looking forward to the opportunity for the citizens of Hughson to put trust in me.”

 

Miguel Oseguera

Q: Why are you running for Hughson City Council in the recall election?

A: “I have been trying to run for a couple of years now. I ran when Crowder was appointed over me. I want to represent the young people of Hughson and bridge the gap of the Hispanic community and City Hall.”

 

Q: What changes do you plan to make if you win?

A: “First I want to fix City Hall. I want to make sure we work as a team. We can’t move forward if everyone is picking sides. Gossip doesn’t belong in City Hall. Another thing we need to work on is water rates.”

 

Q: Why did you choose to run for the specific seat of Crowder?

A: “I have nothing against him. That’s the original seat I wanted through the appointment process when I ran a couple of years ago.”

 

Q: What experience can you bring to the council to better the City of Hughson?

A: “I currently serve as a planning commissioner for the City of Hughson. I am also a volunteer firefighter for Hughson. I will bring my people skills to the council. I am here for the community and I have been living here since the 1990s. I know the Hispanic community well.”

 

Q: Are you planning to run again in the November election?

A: “Yes, I am planning on running in November.”

 

Q: Anything else?

A: “Hopefully, the events in Hughson will show the public to do their research on the candidates so this mess won’t happen again. Hughson is a great community and we need to bring the small town community spirit back. I am taking the extra step to look into the issues in Hughson.”

 

 

 

Doug Humphreys declined to comment for this story.

 

Gary Houx

Q: Why are you running for Hughson City Council in the recall election?

A: “I think we need to get the council back on track. I am a good candidate because I will make good honest decisions that are good for the city and the residents. I have a good ethical background.”

 

Q: What changes do you plan to make if you win?

A: “The biggest changes we need to make are three things. The first thing is that we need a city manager in place to hire the necessary people that will improve employee morale. The second thing is that we need to get the council working toward new beginnings and create a positive outlook. The third thing is that we need to get the spirit of the town back. We have some deep wounds that need to be healed and that will take time but we can do it. Bringing back the Fruit and Nut festival will help bring the community back together. All the things we need to work on can be accomplished if we all work together.”

 

Q: Why did you choose to run for the specific seat of Humphreys?

A: “Basically, it wasn’t a choice. I just went for a seat that had a long term. I want to be there long enough to make decisions to better our community.”

 

Q: What experience can you bring to the council to better the City of Hughson?

A: “I have a lot of knowledge with making decisions with budgets and public works. I am also knowledgeable with the water systems. That knowledge helps make good decisions. My background will help make some of those good judgments.”

 

Q: Anything else?

A: “This is a great community and I only want the best for the residents. I would like to help the city get back on track and if elected, I will do that.” 

 

Jeramy Young

Q: Why are you running for Hughson City Council in the recall election?

A: “I am running because I am disappointed in the current leadership. There is a lot of fighting and the city isn’t moving forward.”

 

Q: What changes do you plan to make if you win?

A: “I think it is important to hire a qualified city manager that can work collaboratively with the city council and city staff. There are some issues with the budget that needs to be discussed to create a balanced budget with solid reserves. I will also focus on bringing more business to Hughson to create more revenue for the town.”

 

Q: Why did you choose to run for specific seat of Humphreys?

A: “It is nothing personal against Humphreys. I just wanted to run for a seat.”

 

Q: What experience can you bring to the council to better the City of Hughson?

A: “I can bring my leadership ability and my integrity to the council. I have been in law enforcement for 18 years where I developed leadership skills and trust.”

 

Q: Anything else?

A: “As a council member, I want to focus on bringing the community together. I would love to hear questions and concerns from the community. They can contact me at young4council@yahoo.com.”        

 

 

Ben Manley, current council member

Q: Why do you think you should keep your seat on the council?

A: “I ran for the city council to do some good for the city. I wanted to make some changes and I want to continue to make good changes to better the City of Hughson. I would like to continue to find the best way for the city to proceed. I have been here since 1950 and I would never do anything to hurt the city.”

 

Q: If not recalled, what changes do you plan to make for the betterment of the community of Hughson?

A: “I want to bring in new business to Hughson and create a better understanding for the public on how the city works.”

 

Jill Ferriera Silva

Q: Why are you running for Hughson City Council in the recall election?

A: “I am really saddened by everything that has taken place with all the turmoil taking place. I have been encouraged by family members, friends and co-workers telling me that I should run because I would be a good council woman so I decided to run.”

 

Q: What changes do you plan to make if you win?

A: “It is easy to say what I would bring to the council. I will bring my professionalism and respect for diversity and different opinions to the council. We need to come together and find a solution to better our community.”

 

Q: Why did you choose to run for the specific seat of Manley?

A: “Ben is really involved in the city and I am the same way. If Ben were to be recalled, I thought of who could replace him with the same history.”

 

Q: What experience can you bring to the council to better the City of Hughson?

A: “I am currently the assistant chief probation officer for the Stanislaus County Probation Department where I oversee over 200 employees and $22 million in budget. With that experience I can help make decisions for the city.”

 

Q: Anything else?

A: “I am somebody who feels strongly that council members need to be accountable for their actions and decisions and I will be that council member.”

 

Billie Gonzales

Q: Why are you running for Hughson City Council in the recall election?

A: “I am running because I want to make the City of Hughson a better place. I want to get Hughson out of the paper for negative things.”

 

Q: What changes do you plan to make if you win?

A: “I like to promote a team atmosphere and I am hoping to start that atmosphere off in the council then working into management so everyone is working together as a team.”

 

Q: Why did you choose to run for the specific seat of Manley?

A: “It is not because I didn’t like him. I had to choose a seat and I believe I am a better candidate than him.”

 

Q: What experience can you bring to the council to better the City of Hughson?

A: “I did a lot of contract negotiating and we need to learn how to work with contractors better. In previous jobs, I figured out how much paper and pens and things like that costs. I will bring in some expertise to help avoid potential layoffs.”

 

Q: Anything else?

A: “If anyone wants to contact me, they can e-mail me at princali@yahoo.com.”

 

To contact Maegan Martens, e-mail mmartens@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2015.